Save Our Shores Marks 41 Years of Annual Coastal Cleanup Day With More than a Thousand Volunteers Protecting Monterey Bay
September 29, 2025
We are thrilled to share that Save Our Shores has received a $123,590 new grant from the California Natural Resources Agency’s Youth Community Access (YCA) Grant Program that will support two cohorts of our Junior Sanctuary Stewards (JSS) program in 2026. This funding ensures that middle school youth in the Monterey Bay area will continue to have opportunities to explore, learn, and connect with our local marine and coastal ecosystems.
The Junior Sanctuary Stewards program is a 12–15 week, field trip-based afterschool program designed to break down barriers to coastal access and inspire the next generation of ocean stewards. Developed with input from youth leaders, JSS immerses students in weekly excursions to beaches, wetlands, rivers, and state parks where they learn about the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, participate in hands-on environmental activities, and engage with conservation professionals from their own communities. Through activities such as habitat restoration, tide pooling, and art-in-nature projects, students gain not only knowledge but also a deeper sense of belonging in nature. To date, the program has reached 8 cohorts, 222 youth participants, and 4 middle schools. With this grant, Save Our Shores is excited to continue expanding equitable access to outdoor learning and to empower youth to become lifelong stewards of our environment.
About the California Natural Resources Agency’s Youth Community Access (YCA) Grant Program:
The Youth Community Access (YCA) Grant Program is part of California’s Outdoors for All initiative. Funded through Proposition 64, the program invests in expanding equitable access to parks, museums, and outdoor spaces for youth from low-income and underserved communities. YCA supports organizations across the state in providing field trips, outdoor education, cultural programming, and career development opportunities.
About Save Our Shores:
Save Our Shores was first formed in 1978 as a grassroots movement to prevent offshore oil drilling. Today, from policy change to educational programs, we’re ensuring ocean conservation throughout the community. Our programs and projects are designed to support the foundations of clean, healthy shores and a thriving Monterey Bay for all.
Learn more at saveourshores.org
Follow us on Instagram: @saveourshores
